Abstract
The objectives of this study are to ascertain primary caregivers' understanding of risks associated with home trampoline use; to educate caregivers in regard to documented literature based risks associated with home trampoline use; and to evaluate if this information will have any influence on their future regulation of home trampoline use for their children.
One hundred primary caregivers of patients treated in the paediatric orthopaedic surgery outpatient clinic at London Health Sciences centre were surveyed. All caregivers in clinic were invited to participate. The only exclusion criteria was the inability to provide consent. Caregivers' baseline perceptions on the risks associated with home trampoline use were assessed using a questionnaire. Caregivers then received an information pamphlet outlining documented trampoline safety data. They were then sent the same questionnaire to complete within one week of reading the pamphlet. Using our research electronic database capture (Redcap), the results of the surveys were compiled and analysed using spss 22, paired t-test and repeated measures anova. A sample size of 55 was calculated to result in a power of 80%.
Of primary caregivers surveyed, 36% owned a home trampoline, and only 5% had personal experiences with their child sustaining a trampoline injury. Pre-education, when caregivers were asked on a scale of one (not dangerous) to 10 (very dangerous) how dangerous they felt a trampoline was for their child, the average response was six. Post-education, this number changed to eight. Providing education to primary caregivers significantly changed their perceptions on all sections of the questionnaire, yet 47% of primary caregivers were willing to allow their child to use a trampoline at home despite their new understanding of trampoline injury and safety.
Providing education to primary caregivers significantly changed their perceptions on all trampoline safety questions, indicating effective comprehension. Despite caregivers' understanding of the risks associated with home trampoline use, approximately half of the study population continue to permit this activity for their children. There is potential to reduce paediatric orthopaedic injuries associated with home trampoline use if safer trampoline related practices are implemented based on information provided.
